Project management.

Chapter 11:

1. Explain the triple constraint and its importance in project management.
A triple constraint refers to an intelligent trade off between the aspects of time, scope and cost of a project. It works in a way that as one of these three aspects changes or is alter e.g. time then the other two are also alter so as the balance is held between the three. The issue arises within business when one of these three constraints is alter but the other two are not and therefore there is a lack of balance or cohesion between the constraints.

The success of a project and in turn a business relies on whether these 'trade offs' in a successful project, which is on time and in budget, still meets the requirements of the business and fulfills the customers needs.
2. Describe the two primary diagrams most frequently used in project planning.
Pert and Gantt charts are the two primary diagrams that are used most frequently in the project management field.
A Pert chart is a graphical network model which pictorially presents the project being completed in relation to other projects and demonstrates the relationship between them

A Gantt Chart is a simple bar chart which compares the progress of the project in comparison to a calendar, similarly like a time plan of how the project is going time wise.

3. Identify the three primary areas a project manager must focus on managing to ensure success.
Managing people: being able to resolve conflict and overlook personal issues to continue with the task/ project that is being completed.
Managing communication: All information that is conveyed need to be useful and relevant to completing a successful project. 
Managing Change: Time, cost, Quality and scope are the focus, as one is altered or changed the others will be impacted, the management should be able to control this and react to these changes in a way that best maintains the success of a project.
4. Outline 2 reasons why projects fail and two reasons why projects succeed.
Two reasons why projects succeed would be that they have successful project management and there is a clearly outlines purpose and structured decision making team.
Commonly two reasons why they are unsuccessful or fail is due to a lack of cohesion between decision makers and a formation of unrealistic goals or ideals which are not overlooked but on the contrary are focused on.

Customer relationship management and Business intelligence

Chapter 9:

1. What is your understanding of CRM?
A CRM is a system which allows firms to manage customers better. by using these systems companies are able to gain insight into customers shopping and buying habits. They are then able to produce products, sales and items which are best suited to there target market, creating a customer loyalty between the store and the customer. These types of systems are often used by marketing and sales departments of a firm.

2. Compare operational and analytical customer relationship management.
Operational customer relationship management refers in particular to the recording of customer details, often called front office operations, operations customer relationship management directly refers to interaction with customers.
Analytical Customer relationship management refers to the use of operational data and data mining to gain competitive advantage by understanding market buying and selling trends and other customer data which could boost the success  of customer relations with the company and the customer.
3. Describe and differentiate the CRM technologies used by marketing departments and sales departments

The Customer Relationship Management technologies used by marketing departments are campaign management and opportunity management. Campaign and opportunity management includes information such as costs, target audience and return on investment.

The CRM technologies used by sales departments essentially allows for the streamlining of the sales process. CRM technologies in this department are used to coordinate the sales process, by helping salespeople organise their jobs, calendars, contacts, appointments, meetings and multimedia presentations. 

Campaign management systems which enable guides for uses through the marketing campaigns and Cross Selling selling additional products/services, and Up-Selling increasing the value of the sale. This looks at the Marketing Metrics which consists of new customer retention rates and number of reposonses/purchases by a marketing campaign, revenue generated and customer retention rate.
Sales looks at more the number of prospective customers, new customers, retained customers and the amount of new revenue and proposals given.
4. How could a sales department use operational CRM technologies?

there are many advantages that arise within sales departments who use CRM technology. Sales departments are able to use list generators with customer information to determine key statistics to assist in success of sales for example identifying where a particular type of product is sold... removing risk of playing high cost products into lower paying areas.  They are also able to use CRM technology to create cutomer loyalty and this is done by using terms such as creating loyalty card or offering sales such as 'buy one product get the second piece free' or offering pre sale on new products.

5. Describe business intelligence and its value to businesses.

Business inteligence refers to the applications and technologies that are used to gather and analyse data and information to simplify decision making. This allows for businesses to identify problems, study the data that is collected from the sales of a company's products and simplify the way they make decisions in relation to the business and in particular there goods or services.

6. Explain the problem associated with business intelligence. Describe the solution to this business problem.

The key issue with BI is that though it gathers multitudes of data it is unable to gather it into useful pieces of information that are relevant to areas of a business. This causes businesses to be unable to determine there own strengths and weaknesses or areas which need improvement.
7.What are two possible outcomes a company could get from using data mining?
Cluster analysis: refers to the grouping of information or data from multiple databases in order to identify trends and establish behavioral traits of the target market/s
Statistical analysis: Uses regression analysis and statistics to evaluate the trends within the data.

Operations management and supply chain management.

Chapter 8:

1. Define the term 'operations management.'
Operations management is "the management of systems or processes that convert or transform resources ins goods and services." 
2. Explain operations managements role in business
Its main use in a company environment is to assist in the systematic production steps of goods and services. The main focus of operation management is on the forecasts of production within the company, inputs of production, The Quality of production, attempting to lower cost of production and to also in turn reduce the cost of the final product.
3. Describe the correlation between operations management and information technology

The main correlation between operation managment and information is visibility. By using them together it allows for *Visibility* throughout the whole of the company. It allows for operations managers to determine whether the production is successful and if not  understand how and where they can make it more sufficient.
4. Explain supply chain management and its role in business. 
Supply chain management (SCM) involves the management of the flow of production at all stages of production. 
Supply chain refers  to all parties involved in the production of a product, directly or indirectly, and how they impact the success of the product. 
5. List and describe the five components of a typical supply chain

The five components of a supply chain are:
Plan: refers to the 'strategic portion' of the chain. Focus on how to sustain resourced for production, efficiency,cost effective, delivery of high quality and the value of products to customers.
Source: this stage is where suppliers are sought and this depend fully on the reliability and how a supplier will deliver goods and services which are required in the production of the companies product.
Make: This is the supply chain step which the product it produced!
Deliver: "Logistics is the set of processes that plans for and controls the efficient and effective transportation and storage of supplies to customers." The delivery stage of the supply chain is generally referred to as the logistical stage.
Return: this stage is referring to a point where the company is able to receive defective of excess of their product and also support customers whom have issues with the product. 
6. Define the relationship between information technology and supply chain.
The main relationship between information technology and the supply chain is that a supply chain is effectively enhanced in success and efficiency with the addition of technology to the 5 components of the supply chain. There is a possibility of information technology have either a positive or negative effect on the supply chain but either way the infiltration of technology into the functioning of a company's production line had changed the way the traditional function of a supply chain.

Networks and Wireless

Chapter 7:

1. Explain the business benefits of using wireless technology.
There are many benefits of using wireless technology in a business and each gains advantage within the business function.
Within the functionality of the businesses three things emerge from the use of wireless technology. Firstly Companies are able to connect with all workers wherever they may be, this meaning that information can be passed to employees who are not on work premises. This enables them to be more productive and time effective while also balancing work and home life. The use of wireless technology also opens many avenues when it comes to works. Many companies operate from different states or countries and the use of wireless technology allows for a simple and easy connection between the offices and staff of the company. Finally in the operation of the company, wireless technology allows for work to be completed on the move. This allows for employees to receive emails and other work related data while at the park, the airport of just at home. Wireless technology no longer confines workers to the desk but allows a more free access to internet and other things provided by wireless technology. Wireless technology is lastly a great benefit to businesses as is it is far cheaper than the installation of fiber wires used in fixed connections.  
http://uk.computers.toshiba-europe.com/innovation/generic/0000003c1f
2. Describe the business benefits associated with VoIP
There are many benefits which form with the use of VoIP. A VoIP is a system which allows for calls to be transmitted via the internet. The use of VoIP increases the speed of business while also creating easier integration between company sectors which may be based in different areas or countries. The technology also increases restoration and response time. Also creating ease with exchange or data and information systems.

3. Compare LANs and WANs
Both LAN's and WAN's allow any authorised persons to receive  data. LAN or local area network is designed to connect a group of computers and is useful for sharing data and other digital resources. LANs also connect to other LAN systems, the internet and other area networks.

WANs or wide area network is a network which spans a large geographic area and often connect smaller networks and LANs.
4. Describe RFID and how it can be used to help make a supply chain more effective.
Radio frequency Identification (RFID) uses active or passive tags to store unique identifiers and relay information to electronic readers. These systems cut many cost by reducing costs of actions within a company.In turn RDFI's create a more efficient supply chain as, while they cut cost they also provide more current and accurate information in the supply chain. This information allows for the function of the supply chain to be improved and bettered so it is more accurate and  efficient, this in turn improves the workings of the business as a whole.
5. Identify the advantages and disadvantage of deploying mobile technology
There are many advantages and Disadvantages that mobile technology which impact on businesses daily.
The following table created by Grace Freckleton (20103992) and shows both advantages and disadvantages of mobile technology.